After a very enjoyable 4 days in Tokyo, it was time to continue on my journey to around China. Not wanting my valuable and excellent value bmi miles to expire (or be incorporated into LH’s Miles and More), I used these to get me back to China. My original itinerary didn’t call for any visits to Shanghai or Beijing (apart for my flight home PEK-FRA), however, in the end, I ended up flying out of PVG (Shanghai) en route to Hong Kong with Cathay. With the return to China flights, I could get away with up to three sectors, and still get it to count as a one way redemption, as long as I kept moving in the same basic direction (i.e. West). I looked to see the furthest West I could go in China. URC (Urumqi) was the furthest served directly from China’s East coast, however, I’d already been there. The next closest was Dunhuang, in the middle of the deserts of Gansu province, and very close to the Mogao Caves, somewhere I’d always wanted to visit. The problem with Air China’s Dunhuang flight was that they only operated a couple of times a week, and the flight leaves PEK (Beijing) at 0720, necessitating a night in PEK. With that in mind, I decided to book an afternoon flight out of NRT (Tokyo) to Shanghai to met up with a friend, before continuing on to Beijing the next evening, followed by my morning flight out West. The first two flights were booked in Business class, but as most domestic Chinese flights are only sold as First or Economy, I was booked into Economy for the Beijing-Dunhuang flight. The Dunhuang flight will be covered in the next report, along with a couple more domestic flights (none of which were planned), including a hop on a Joy Air Xi’an MA60.

Flight map for this reports’ flights

From my hotel in Asakusa, I took the Ginza line to Ueno, then the Limited Express to Narita, getting me to the airport around 0945, leaving me with plenty of time to check out the airport.

My first stop was the departures area to check in my bag. I walked up to the deserted Club ANA desks. I was stopped by a well presented member of ANA staff, who asked if I was flying on ANA, and then if I was in Business. With these both answered in the affirmative, she let me into the roped off area. The last time I flew out of NRT was back in 2006 flying NH Business class to LHR. The place had been absolutely packed then. I would make a link between the emptiness and the global turndown, but the lack of departing NH flights was probably more relevant. The 2pm PVG was the only NH departure for a couple of hours, after the European bank, and before the US one.

Once my bag was checked, and my boarding card issued, I headed off to find the post office (postcards took 4 days to arrive in the US, compared to nearly 3 weeks for the ones I sent from Ningbo!), then the bank to change the last of my Yen into RMB.

Next stop was the Aviation Shop, where I bought a NH notebook and a couple of branded pens. I was hoping that there would be a proper ANA shop, like there is in Haneda Airport, but alas, there wasn’t’.

From the shop, it was just a short walk to the Terminal 1 Observation Deck. NRT, like many Japanese Airport has a free viewing deck. Japan is terribly spotter friendly!

I hadn’t even realised that KE had received their first A380 (only delivered the week before I saw her), so this was a great surprise. And luckily, she was parked directly beneath the observation deck.

Not a busy time at NRT, especially for NH

Before going through security, I took a quick photo outside

Security and immigration were very quick. There wasn’t a fast track n(that I could see), although if there was one, it wasn’t needed.

Unlike HKG, NRT only had a choice of two lounges today, the NH one, and the UA Red Carpet Club. Never having been to a RCC before, and having heard a lot of negative comment, I headed over with interest. The liunge was very large, and very quiet.

Options for breakfast were very limited: Bagel quarters, some fruit, and that’s about it.

I hope that during the busy afternoon period, that offerings a increased!

Views from the lounge

Before I left, I decided to have a last quick walk around. In the far corner I found a completely deserted snack area, which had a slightly better selection, along with a beer machine.

The mini cheesecakes were nice. Nevertheless, it was time to head over to the NH lounge. On the way I stopped to look for Gin the duty free store. There was a sale on the Russian Standard Vodka, though, so I got a litre of that instead, along with a free miniature.

Airy and empty

The NH Lounge was very quiet at this time. I was welcomed into the lounge, and found a seat with a view of the (empty) tarmac.

The Sake Bar

Computer Area

ANA Biz Jet to Mumbai

OM to ULN

NRT also has a little chef station in the lounge, offering a choice of freshly cooked udon or soba noodles. Tasty!

An EY A330 was being turned around

My B767 for PVG

Shenzhen Airlines for Fuzhou

NH lounge bathrooms with electric toilets

Fauchon Ice Cream (on request only)

Some NH paraphernalia

Departures

Around 1330, I headed down to the gate. I arrived just as boarding was starting.

The load today in Business was very light, around 6 pax, so everyone had plenty of space.

Plenty of legroom

Empty tarmac

Every seat had a menu

The EY flight pushing back

A NH B773 taking it’s place moments later

Heading to the runway

The US bank of flights had replaced earliers European flights

Line up

Rolling

Plenty of legroom

Huangshan featured in the NH magazine

Progress on the moving map

Hot towel before lunch

Today’s lunch menu

Pre lunch drinks and snacks whilst watching Liam Neeson in Unknown

I decided to go for the Japanese option of sake steamed Sable fish, which was very tasty

A tasty and varied international selection of appetisers

More drinks

This was the view for 99% of the flight. From entering the clouds seconds after leaving NRT, uintil seconds before landing into a very wet PVG, there was just a lot of clouds. No sun, no blue : ( The cloud layer must had been pretty thick.

I spent the rest of the flight exploring the IFE and enjoying the champagne

The fairly empty cabin

I found the NH crew excellent – friendly, and quiet with requests. I did, however, find it quite strange that once the seatbelt sign came on during out rather bumpy approach, not a single member of crew walked through the business class cabin to prepare it for landing. I kept expecting someone to come through and take my finished glasses, but they never did. I saw a few crew clearing up economy, but nothing in business. I decided to take matters into my own hands, and wrapped my used glasses in the Japan Times.

The weather in Shanghai was awful. Low clouds, high winds and heavy rain.

I was one of the first off the plane, and into the nice, clean and deserted terminal

There was a perfunctory health check, before immigration. There wasn’t much of a queue, and before long I was at the luggage belt. For a reason best know to themselves, despite most belts being empty, they put our Tokyo flight with a full Vancouver flight. It them seemed that most of the YVR passengers were either still on the plane, or stuck in immigration, whilst their bags were coming out. PVG has quite new luggage belts that automatically stop new bags from joining the carousel if there is something already on the belt. As there were no YVR passengers picking up their bags, none of the NRT bags could come out. After around 20 minuets (with still no YVR pax in sight), they eventually moved the NRT flight to the next belt.

With my bags finally back in my possession, I went through customs, and onto the Maglev, which whisked me fairly effortlessly to the outskirts of Shanghai. Why they decided to built the world’s fastest train from PVG to the outskirts of town, instead of the city centre, is anyone’s guess. The 30-odd km trip takes just 7 minutes.

From the Longyang Road terminus, I took a taxi to my hotel in Puxi. Phew, I’d arrived.

I met up with a friend for dinner, then ended up at a house party. I had intended on visiting the Expo sight the next morning, but decided to sleep instead. My Air China flight up to Beijing wasn’t scheduled until 4pm, so there was no rush. After checking out, and having a very tasty fried dumpling lunch, I took a taxi back to the Maglev station, and then was soon back in PVG.

There were only two desks open for all Air China First and Business and Gold passengers, and there were two awkward parties occupying both desks. It took about ten minutes for the first of these to clear, and I was I called up.

I had separated by things into two bags to check in, one full of souvenirs from Japan that I wanted to check through to Beijing only, so I could pick them up on my way home, and my bigger bag with my clothes in all the way to Dunhuang. My tickets were booked so that on the NRT-PVG-PEK-DNH routing, PVG was the stopover, and PEK was the transfer (even though I was spending just one night in both). As such, when I checked in online (which took a while), I was able to check in for both PVG-PEK and PEK-DNH sectors. However, when I explained the destinations of both my bags, the lady said that it was impossible, and I could only check bags in for flights “leaving Beijing this evening until 2am”. I was a bit annoyed, as I would now have to carry my big bag to my hotel, only to have to bring it back to PEK early the next morning. When she came to print my boarding passes, both boarding passes came out, and so did the luggage tags. She was quite surprised by this. Anyway, I was happy, and my bug bag was tagged through to DNH the next day. The other benefit of this is that I could have a bit of a longer lie in tomorrow, as I had no checked bags, and already had my boarding pass. Before I left the desk, I was also handed a voucher to use on the airside transit cart (which saved a LOT of walking).

There was a fast track line hidden on the far left hand side of security, and I was through in less than a minute. I then hopped on the cart, and we sped up to the very far end of the terminal.

I was dropped off at the stairs leading to the lounge.

The lounge was nice and airy, and had a reasonable selection of food and drink (although no spirits). I made myself at home on a table for four in a corner of the lounge, and went to enjoy a second late lunch. Throughout my stay, the selection of hot food changed from dumplings, to soup, to noodles.

Views of, and from the lounge.

Not long after I arrived in the lounge, an hours’ delay was announced. This was annoying as I had arranged to have dinner with a couple of friends. There was free wifi, so the time passed fairly quickly. Its just a shame there isn’t a better view of the tarmac from the lounge.

Around 1710, there was a boarding call for passengers of the flight to Beijing. I took another shuttle back to the gate (saving around 10 minutes walking again), where it looked like most of the passengers had already boarded.

I was a bit disappointed to board and find that I already had a seatmate. Trays of juice and water, as well as hot towels, were handed round, and I made myself comfortable in the seat.

I hope that isn’t our tyre

View from my seat (sorry about the filthy windows)

I asked a member of staff if the pair of seats in front were free, and I was told yes, but to wait until the doors were closed. However, less than a minute later, a guy from the row behind moved to take the seats. Grrr. When the FA came back, she said that there was an empty pair on the other side of the aisle that I could move to. I gathered up my things, and just as I got there, another guy from the 2nd Business cabin moved there. Grrrr!!!! So, I was back in my originally seat. It’s only a short flight, so no worries – my seat mate would just have to deal with my photo taking!

After a taxiing to the active, we finally rotated nearly 90 minutes late.

We broke the clouds, and it was nice and sunny – quite a change from the flight the previous day

I saw menus being handed out in First Class, but Business didn’t get that luxury. Drinks orders were taken, and the table set. I asked for a Gin and Tonic. As expected, the FA didn’t understand. I asked in English, and Chinese, and even wrote it down, but no. I was surprised to be honest that CA don’t have G&Ts onboard. Perhaps they have it in International First only? Drinks choices have never been good on Chinese airlines.

Dunch is served – a tasty prawn and rice dish, with lotus root, salad and bread.

I watched An Education, which was good. The IFE was turned off before I had a chance to finish it though.

Cabin views

Without having made up any time, we began our approach into Beijing, which was as smoggy as always.

The IFE said it was 38C, but it was actually around 28C.

Taxiing past the International terminal

We disembarked through door L1, so I managed to get a few pics of First Class. I’m annoyed that there weren’t any redemption seats left in F.

After collecting my one checked in bag, I went o join a very long taxi queue, and finally arrived at my hotel off Dongzhimenwaidajie, close to the lively Sanlitun area.

Midnight food stalls set up in The Village in Sanltiun

I had a good night out with friends, and ended up at a night club, Vics, next to the Workers’ Stadium. I ended up getting back to my hotel around 3.30am very much the worse for wear. My flight onwards to Dunhuang would be departing Beijing at 0730, so it would be an uncomfortable morning….i’ll leave that flight for the next instalment, together with my other economy class Chinese domestics:

ANA were excellent on the NRT-PVG sector. Food was amazing, and the Club ANA seats on their B767s are very comfortable. Staff were also great.

Air China, as always, could do with a bit of polishing. Staff English levels are often lacking, and in-flight amenities and drinks aren’t really up to par. However, the hardware is there, with some great aircraft, and a comfortable business class seat. F looks pretty nice too!

Your flight with ANA looks really nice! Wow, I'm impressed by the level of service for a 2 hour 30 minute flight. Nice seats too; those look like the Continental Airlines Business First layout on their 767's .. 2-1-2.

Wow, was that a rain storm you were flying through!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): As expected, the FA didn’t understand. I asked in English, and Chinese, and even wrote it down, but no.

Was there anyone else serving the cabin that spoke English that you could have asked?

Great! 2 years ago I had a flight on MU from PEK to Shenzhen via SHA (the old airport) where I had to spend an overnight layover. Anyway, my bag was tagged to SHA, the one of my girlfriend to Shenzhen. I realized this at check in and told the agent that we don't need the bags in SHA and if he could check mine too Shenzhen as well. He told me that it makes no difference, both bags will be delivered in SHA anyway as SHA doesn't accept any overnight bags. And this is exactly what happened. Both bags, even the one tagged to Shenzhen were delivered in SHA an retagged with a new tag at the check in next morning. Don't ask Maybe things have changed.

Looking very forward to the next part of you trip. The unplanned MA60 flight sounds interesting.

Quoting 767747 (Reply 2):Your flight with ANA looks really nice! Wow, I'm impressed by the level of service for a 2 hour 30 minute flight. Nice seats too; those look like the Continental Airlines Business First layout on their 767's .. 2-1-2.

Yeah, the NH Biz cabin is very comfortable.

Quoting 767747 (Reply 2):
Was there anyone else serving the cabin that spoke English that you could have asked?

I don't think the problem was that she didn't speak good enough English, more that she didn't know what it actually was - I don't think that G&Ts are even stocked.

Quoting reifel (Reply 3):Great! 2 years ago I had a flight on MU from PEK to Shenzhen via SHA (the old airport) where I had to spend an overnight layover. Anyway, my bag was tagged to SHA, the one of my girlfriend to Shenzhen. I realized this at check in and told the agent that we don't need the bags in SHA and if he could check mine too Shenzhen as well. He told me that it makes no difference, both bags will be delivered in SHA anyway as SHA doesn't accept any overnight bags. And this is exactly what happened. Both bags, even the one tagged to Shenzhen were delivered in SHA an retagged with a new tag at the check in next morning. Don't ask Maybe things have changed.

I'd never tried an overnight connection before. I was slightly worried that the bag wouldn't make it, but I didn't see it on the carousel when I arrived in PEK - luckily, all was well.

Good to see the third part up. A couple of very nice looking biz class flights and interesting lounges - well done. Shame about the bad weather and views outside, but that's a perfect excuse to use enjoy the IFE!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): I could get away with up to three sectors, and still get it to count as a one way redemption, as long as I kept moving in the same basic direction (i.e. West). I looked to see the furthest West I could go in China.

Hey, that's pretty generous. But then again nothing less is really expected from DiamondClub - I've heard so many good things about it over the years.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):I hadn’t even realised that KE had received their first A380 (only delivered the week before I saw her), so this was a great surprise.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):. I decided to take matters into my own hands, and wrapped my used glasses in the Japan Times.

Now that's quite lame - perhaps time to fill out a comment card? It's not like they were busy with a full business class or anything.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): Before I left the desk, I was also handed a voucher to use on the airside transit cart (which saved a LOT of walking).

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):The lounge was nice and airy, and had a reasonable selection of food and drink (although no spirits). I made myself at home on a table for four in a corner of the lounge, and went to enjoy a second late lunch. Throughout my stay, the selection of hot food changed from dumplings, to soup, to noodles.

Most of these Asian lounges you visited on this trip just loop so much better than their European counterparts, especially when it comes to food. Or maybe it just seems so because I'm such a sucker for Asian food...

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter): back to my hotel around 3.30am very much the worse for wear. My flight onwards to Dunhuang would be departing Beijing at 0730, so it would be an uncomfortable morning…

Oh dear, I sense a fragile morning. Why did you even bother with a hotel in the first place...

I'm going to redeem an award ticket from my OnePass account with almost identical route.
Thank to CO for their generous offers award ticket on business class

I like all the photos from your spotting and airport overview. Too bad the weather wasn't perfect but am sure it's still good experience.

I'm trying to get NH new business cradle seats on their 763WLs too. But this version of NH business class is very good itself.

It happened to me on some occasions that the crew forgot to final clean up my table. But that was also due to my (almost) unlimited drinking (my glass was never empty) so I thought the crew would let me drink till the last stop!!

I ate one of the sushi bits before I took the close up photo - it was just so tempting!

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 7): Now that's quite lame - perhaps time to fill out a comment card? It's not like they were busy with a full business class or anything.

Yeah, no excuses no do nothing for the final 10 minutes or so.

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 7): Most of these Asian lounges you visited on this trip just loop so much better than their European counterparts, especially when it comes to food. Or maybe it just seems so because I'm such a sucker for Asian food...

Well, the CA lounge wasn't great (espccially as I wanted a nice G&T!), but was adequate

Quoting FlyingFinn76 (Reply 7): Oh dear, I sense a fragile morning. Why did you even bother with a hotel in the first place...

Very fragile! The orignal plan called for dinner around 8pm, followed by drinks, then bed by 11pm. Not a 4am return to the hotel!

Quoting abrelosojos (Reply 8):Thanks for the report mate. I have plans to do an almost identical itinerary, so this was valuable insight.

Quoting nethkt (Reply 9):I'm going to redeem an award ticket from my OnePass account with almost identical route.
Thank to CO for their generous offers award ticket on business class

Glad my TR was of use!

Quoting nethkt (Reply 9): I'm trying to get NH new business cradle seats on their 763WLs too. But this version of NH business class is very good itself.

On short flights to China, the old seat is fine

Quoting nethkt (Reply 9): It happened to me on some occasions that the crew forgot to final clean up my table. But that was also due to my (almost) unlimited drinking (my glass was never empty) so I thought the crew would let me drink till the last stop!!

There have been occasions where I've still been clutching a glass on approach, but his time I was all finished up a good 20 mins before arrival. The staff just weren't there.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):NRT only had a choice of two lounges today, the NH one, and the UA Red Carpet Club. Never having been to a RCC before, and having heard a lot of negative comment, I headed over with interest. The liunge was very large, and very quiet.

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):Options for breakfast were very limited: Bagel quarters, some fruit, and that’s about it.

- The lounges of US carriers are pretty weak, they have lots to learn!

Quoting gabrielchew (Thread starter):onto the Maglev, which whisked me fairly effortlessly to the outskirts of Shanghai. Why they decided to built the world’s fastest train from PVG to the outskirts of town, instead of the city centre, is anyone’s guess

- Tell me about it, once there you still have to get a cab to the hotel!